Shotline Diving

Connecting You to the Depths of the Great Lakes

H. Spencer (1847)

Explore the wreck of the H. Spencer, a wooden schooner lost in a collision on Lake Michigan in 1867, highlighting maritime law and navigation hazards.

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

  • Name: H. Spencer
  • Type: Wooden schooner
  • Year Built: Circa 1847
  • Builder: Unknown (possibly Great Lakes yard)
  • Dimensions: Unknown (typical schooner ~90–110 ft)
  • Registered Tonnage: Not recorded
  • Location: Lake Michigan, ~20 miles west of Chicago
  • Coordinates: Unknown
  • Official Number: Unknown
  • Original Owners: Not documented
  • Number of Masts: Unknown

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

Wooden schooner, typical dimensions for the era.

Description

The H. Spencer was a wooden schooner, likely built around 1847. It was primarily used for transporting cargo, specifically shingle bolts, which are wood pieces used for roofing.

History

On September 25, 1867, the H. Spencer collided with the propeller Empire State in foggy conditions on Lake Michigan. The collision occurred around 3 a.m., resulting in significant damage to the schooner.

Significant Incidents

  • Collision with the propeller Empire State due to failure to display proper sidelights.
  • Legal case: Owners of H. Spencer v. Empire State, where both vessels were found at fault.

Final Disposition

After the crew abandoned the H. Spencer, it was driven ashore by worsening weather. The hull was declared a total loss, with no further salvage recorded.

Current Condition & Accessibility

The remains of the H. Spencer are likely destroyed or deteriorated on the shoreline, as no submerged wreck has been located.

Resources & Links

[shotline_reference_links slug=”h-spencer-1847″ title=”References & Links”]

The H. Spencer serves as a historical example of the navigation hazards present on Lake Michigan and the legal implications of maritime collisions.

Legacy Notes & Full Historical Record

This section preserves the original unedited Shotline content for this wreck so that no historical detail is lost as we transition to the new logbook format.

Identification Card (Site Style)

Name: H. Spencer
Other Names: None known
Official Number: Unknown
Registry: United States
Vessel Type: Wooden schooner
Builder: Likely built circa 1847, builder unknown (possibly Great Lakes yard)
Year Built: Circa 1847
Dimensions: Unknown (typical schooner ~90–110 ft)
Tonnage: Not recorded
Cargo on Final Voyage: Shingle bolts (wood for roof shingles)
Date of Loss: 25 September 1867
Location: Lake Michigan, ~20 miles west of Chicago
Coordinates: Unknown
Depth: Driven ashore, no submerged wreck located
Home Port: Unknown
Owners: Not documented
Crew: Unknown
Casualties: None reported

Incident & Collision

On September 25, 1867, around 3 a.m., the schooner H. Spencer collided with the propeller Empire State in fog and darkness near the west shore of Lake Michigan, approximately 20 miles from Chicago. The steamer struck the schooner on her port quarter, carrying away much of her stern structure and leaving her disabled. The crew were rescued by Empire State and later transferred to the propeller Orion. No lives were lost.

Legal Liability & Aftermath

The case of Owners of H. Spencer v. Empire State was heard in U.S. federal court. Both vessels were found at fault:

  • H. Spencer – failed to display proper sidelights as required by law.
  • Empire State – did not exercise sufficient caution or slow speed in fog conditions.

Damages were split between the two parties, with partial compensation awarded to the schooner’s owners after legal costs.

Final Disposition

After the crew abandoned ship, worsening weather drove the damaged H. Spencer ashore. A tug salvaged gear worth ~$650–$1,000, but the hull was declared a total loss. No record of further salvage exists, and the remains were likely broken apart or left to deteriorate on the shoreline.

Significance & Maritime Implications

  • Navigation Hazards: The case underscores the dangers of fog navigation on Lake Michigan.
  • Legal Precedent: Established stronger requirements for lighting and vigilance in poor visibility.
  • Trade Insight: The schooner’s cargo of shingle bolts illustrates the importance of the lumber trade to regional construction industries.

Resources & Links

References

  1. Owners of H. Spencer v. Empire State, Federal Cases, Vol. 12, Case No. 6,227 (U.S. District Court, 1867).
  2. Maritime History of the Great Lakes – vessel collision records.

NOAA/WHS Shipwreck Record Card

Wreck Name: H. Spencer
Other Names: None
Official Number: Unknown
Coordinates: Not documented
Depth: Driven ashore
Location Description: Lake Michigan, ~20 miles off Chicago
Vessel Type: Wooden schooner
Material: Wood
Dimensions: Unknown (~90–110 ft typical)
Condition: Total loss, remains destroyed
Cause of Loss: Collision with propeller Empire State
Discovery Date: 1867 (contemporaneous incident)
Discovered By: Not applicable
Method: Reported in court and newspapers
Legal Notes: Liability case decided in U.S. federal court
Hazards: None noted today
Permits Required: Not applicable

Keywords

#HSpencer #EmpireState #LakeMichiganShipwreck #GreatLakesMaritimeLaw #Collision1867 #ShingleBoltTrade

h-spencer-1847 1867-09-25 14:53:00